Multi-function suspenders

ABSTRACT

Suspenders for supporting an article of clothing include straps being releasably attachable one to another along at least a portion of a contiguous side edge whereby the suspenders may be reversibly altered between a first configuration and a second configuration. A connector may be provided disposed intermediately to the first paired strap portion and the second paired strap portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the field of suspenders and bracesfor supporting, e.g., articles of clothing such as trousers. Inparticular, the present disclosure describes suspenders for attaching toarticles of clothing, wherein the suspender configuration may be alteredaccording to the user's preference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known in the art, suspenders are straps or braces defining aharness for supporting articles of clothing such as trousers, typicallyattaching to the clothing at front and rear attachment points on thewaistband. While suspenders may be used for fashion reasons, certainprofessions also typically use suspenders to support heavy articles ofclothing or clothing to which heavy equipment may be secured. As anon-limiting example, firefighters typically use suspenders to supporttrousers fabricated of fire-retardant or resistant materials which canbe quite heavy.

Suspenders may be provided in a variety of styles or configurationsbased on the pattern of the suspender straps. As examples, and forobvious visual reasons, suspenders may be classified or described as a Yback configuration (FIG. 1), an X back configuration (FIG. 2), an H backconfiguration (not shown), and others. While Y back suspenders mayprovide increased lower back support, X back or H back suspenders may bemore desirable if increased weight distribution is desired.Traditionally, the configuration of the suspenders is fixed, and so auser must purchase multiple pairs of suspenders if alternative suspenderconfigurations are desired for different purposes or functions.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides suspenders which may bealtered in configuration. In particular, the present disclosure providessuspenders which may be reversibly re-configured by the user from afirst to a second configuration according to the user's preference orneeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

fastener or fastening system, including without intending any limitationzippers, strips of hook and loop fabric, one or more cooperating buttonsand button holes, one or more cooperating pins and clips, andcombinations. In one configuration, reversibly attaching the straps oneto another defines suspenders having a Y back configuration. In another,separating the straps defines suspenders having an X back configuration.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides suspenders forsupporting an article of clothing such as trousers from a shoulderregion of a user. The suspenders include straps as described above forattaching to the clothing, the straps being releasably attachable one toanother along at least a portion of a contiguous side edge thereofwhereby the suspenders may be reversibly altered between a firstconfiguration and a second configuration, such as between a Y backconfiguration and an X back configuration.

Suspenders defined by straps according to the present disclosure mayfurther include terminal fasteners for attaching to the article ofclothing. A connector may be provided disposed intermediately of a firstand a second length dimension of the straps. The connector may befixedly attached to the straps or may be slidably attached to allowaltering the first and second length dimensions of the straps relativeto one another. The connector may further include a decorative display,such as without intending any limitation a reflective surface, a highvisibility surface, advertising, or combinations thereof.

In the following description there is shown and described a preferredembodiment that is illustrative of one of the modes best suited to carryout the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable ofother different embodiments and its several details are capable ofmodification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regardedas illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain certain principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts a rear perspective view of a prior art Y back suspender;

FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of a prior art X back suspender;

FIG. 3 depicts a rear perspective view of multi-function suspendersaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the suspenders of FIG. 3 in use;

FIG. 5 depicts a rear view of the suspender of FIG. 3 in use in the Yback configuration;

FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of the suspender of FIG. 3 in use in the Xback configuration; and

FIGS. 7 a-b depict an embodiment of a clip for securing the straps ofthe suspenders of FIG. 3 to an article of clothing.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodimentof the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate prior art suspenders. As is known, suchsuspenders 10 typically include at least a pair of front straps 12 a, 12b and at least one back strap 14. A connector 16 may be providedseparating the front straps 12 a, 12 b and the back strap 14. Typically,fasteners 18 are provided at a terminal end of the front straps 12 a, 12b and back strap 14 for attaching the suspenders 10 to an article ofclothing (not shown) such as trousers. Devices allowing adjusting alength dimension of the suspenders 10 may also be included, such as thedepicted buckle 20 and perforated tongue 22 shown in FIG. 1. Of course,any number of devices for adjusting the length of a strap are known andare contemplated for use in the present invention, such as slidingclips, hook and loop fabrics, etc. The prior art suspenders 10 shown inFIG. 1 are conventionally referred to as having a Y back configuration,for obvious visual reasons.

In an alternative configuration also known in the art (see FIG. 2), apair of back straps 14 a, 14 b may be provided. This is knownconventionally as an X back configuration suspender, in that in use theback straps 14 a, 14 b will be separated when attached to trousers, suchthat the suspender 10 will assume the appearance of the letter X.

With reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment of suspenders 30 according tothe present disclosure is shown. As seen in the drawing figure, thesuspenders 30 include front straps 32 a, 32 b and back straps 34 a, 34b. Each of front straps 32 a, 32 b and back straps 34 a, 34 b end infasteners 38, allowing attaching suspenders 30 to clothing portions (notshown) such as a trouser waist band. A connector 36 is disposedintermediately of front straps 32 a, 32 b and back straps 34 a, 34 b.

Contiguous side edges 40 a, 40 b of back straps 34 a, 34 b are providedwith a cooperating fastener 42 whereby at least a portion of thecontiguous side edges 40 a, 40 b can be releasably attached one to theother. Any number of possible cooperating fasteners 42 are possible andcontemplated herein, including without intending any limitation zippers,cooperating strips of hook and loop fabric, cooperating buttons/buttonholes, cooperating clips and pins, and others.

As is known, suspenders 30 support an article of clothing of a user Usuch as trousers T (FIG. 4). Front straps 32 a, 32 b pass over theshoulder region of user U and secure to the clothing, such as to awaistband area of trousers T, via fasteners 38. Back straps 34 a, 34 bare secured to the waistband area of trousers T, also via fasteners 38(FIGS. 5 and 6). When back straps 34 a, 34 b are attached one to theother by cooperating fastener 42, suspenders 30 having a Y backconfiguration are defined. On the other hand, when back straps 34 a, 34b are separated one from the other, suspenders 30 having an X backconfiguration are defined. Accordingly, a simple, easy to manipulatesystem for providing suspenders 30 which can be reversibly altered as toconfiguration according to the user's preference is provided.

Additional features are contemplated for the suspenders 30 of thepresent disclosure. Apertures 44 may be defined in, for example, frontstraps 32 a, 32 b to allow the user U to secure items to those straps,for example an electronic device 46, an identification card (not shown),decorative items such as ornamental or novelty pins or other ornaments,and combinations. The connector 36 may include a decorative display 48,for example a reflective surface for decorative or safety purposes, adecorative and/or informative design (for example, advertising, logos,etc.), combinations. A transparent polymer (not shown for convenience)may be disposed on a top surface of the connector 36 to protect thedecorative display 48 from weather, wear, etc.

Other elements, such as pads 50 at a shoulder or other region of frontstraps 32 a, 32 b may be provided, for example comprising removable orpermanently secured padding material for comfort, or other featuresconsidered to provide relief from soreness, inflammation, etc. Forexample, in other art fields it is known to provide such removable orfixed pads comprising silicon cord with titanium germanium ingredients,magnets, and the like for temporary relief from soreness, inflammation,and other conditions. Reflective or otherwise decorative strips 52 maybe provided, such as along a periphery of front straps 32 a, 32 b or atother desirable locations to increase/improve visibility of the user U.Many such materials are known, including without intending anylimitation those sold under the trademarks SCOTCHLITE, ILLUMINITE, andothers.

Likewise, any number of materials for fabricating the various elementsof the suspenders 30 of the present disclosure are known andcontemplated for use herein. For example, the front straps 32 a, 32 band back straps 34 a, 34 b may be fabricated of natural fabrics such asleather, cotton, fibers, may comprise synthetic materials such aspolyurethane, polyester, nylons, or other polymers, SPANDEX, LYCRA, orother stretchable fabrics, or combinations. In turn, combinations of oneor more of the above-listed materials or others known in the art arecontemplated. A variety of reflective materials are known in art andcontemplated for use herein, including materials that become reflectiveat night when a light source strikes them.

A number of suitable fastener types are contemplated for use asfasteners 38. For example, it is known to secure suspenders to trousersusing buttons/button holes, buttons/clips, clips/pins, alligator-typeclips, etc. in one embodiment (see FIGS. 7 a and 7 b) an alligator typeclip is contemplated, including first and second jaws 56, 58 eachcarrying a plurality of teeth 60. Teeth 60 may be disposed at an angle,for example 15° from the vertical, to provide additional retaining powerwhen secured to trousers T. Additional retaining elements 64, 64′ may beprovided, disposed to provide a friction fit therebetween when thematerial of trousers T is captured between jaws 56, 58 of fasteners 38.A loop 62 such as a D-ring may be included for securing to the straps ofthe suspenders 30. Fasteners 38 may be fabricated of metal, plastics orother polymers, or a variety of other materials as is known in the art.

Accordingly, there is provided a suspender 30 which may be easilyreconfigured between, for example, an X back configuration and a Y backconfiguration at the user's desire and whim. The conversion is easilymade at the user's desire and whim, for example to satisfy a fashionpreference, or to convert to an X back configuration for better weightdistribution or to a Y back configuration for better support at theback.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. For example, front straps 32 a, 32 b and backstraps 34 a, 34 b may be four separate straps connected by connector 36.Alternatively, straps 32 a, 34 a may be opposed lengths of a singlestrap, and likewise straps 32 b, 34 b may be opposed lengths of a singlestrap. Connector 36 may be permanently or semi-permanently attached tothe suspender 30 straps, or may be provided as a sliding connector ofknown design, allowing a length dimension of front straps 32 a, 32 b andof back straps 34 a, 34 b to be altered relative to one another. Stillmore, the suspender 30 of the present disclosure may be defined by asingle strap (embodiment not shown), divided lengthwise at a firstportion thereof to define front straps 32 a, 32 b and in turn dividedlengthwise at a second portion thereof and provided with a cooperatingfastener 42 as described to define back straps 34 a, 34 b. In thisembodiment, an intermediate portion of the strap would remain undivided.

The disclosed embodiment was chosen and described to provide the bestillustration of the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art toutilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the invention asdetermined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance withthe breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.The drawings and disclosed embodiment do not and are not intended tolimit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their fair and broadinterpretation in any way.

What is claimed is:
 1. Straps for supporting an article of clothing,said straps being releasably attachable one to another along at least aportion of a contiguous side edge thereof whereby suspenders defined bysaid straps may be reversibly altered between a first configuration anda second configuration.
 2. The straps of claim 1, wherein said strapsare releasably attachable one to another along the at least a portion ofa contiguous side edge thereof by the group of fasteners consisting of azipper, cooperating strips of hook and loop fabric, one or morecooperating buttons and button holes, one or more cooperating pins andclips, and combinations thereof.
 3. The straps of claim 1, wherein thestraps are reversibly attached one to another along the at least aportion of a contiguous side edge to define a Y back suspenderconfiguration.
 4. The straps of claim 1, wherein the straps arereversibly separated one from another along the at least a portion of acontiguous side edge to define an X back suspender configuration. 5.Suspenders for supporting an article of clothing from a shoulder regionof a user, said suspenders comprising straps for attaching to thearticle of clothing, said straps being releasably attachable one toanother along at least a portion of a contiguous side edge thereofwhereby the suspenders may be reversibly altered between a firstconfiguration and a second configuration.
 6. The suspenders of claim 5,wherein said straps are releasably attachable one to another along theat least a portion of a contiguous side edge thereof by the group offasteners consisting of a zipper, cooperating strips of hook and loopfabric, one or more cooperating buttons and button holes, one or morecooperating pins and clips, and combinations thereof.
 7. The suspendersof claim 5, wherein said suspenders are reversibly altered between a Yback suspender configuration and an X back suspender configuration byreversibly attaching or separating the straps one from another along theat least a portion of a contiguous side edge thereof.
 8. The suspendersof claim 5, wherein said straps include fasteners disposed at a terminalend thereof for attaching to the article of clothing.
 9. The suspendersof claim 7, further comprising a connector disposed intermediately of afirst length dimension of said straps and a second length dimension ofsaid straps, the second length dimension including the at least onereleasably attachable portion of a contiguous side edge of the straps.10. The suspenders of claim 9, wherein the connector is fixedly attachedto said straps.
 11. The suspenders of claim 9, wherein the connector isslidably attached to said straps whereby a length of the first lengthdimension and the second length dimension of the straps may be adjusted.12. The suspenders of claim 9, wherein the connector includes adecorative display.
 13. Suspenders for supporting an article ofclothing, comprising: a first paired strap portion having fasteners at aterminal end thereof for attaching to the article of clothing; a secondpaired strap portion having fasteners at a terminal end thereof forattaching to the article of clothing, each of the pair of the secondpaired strap portion being releasably attachable one to another along atleast a portion of a contiguous side edge thereof whereby the suspendersmay be reversibly altered between a first configuration and a secondconfiguration; and a connector disposed intermediately of the firstpaired strap portion and the second paired strap portion.
 14. Thesuspenders of claim 13, wherein each of the pair of the second pairedstrap portion are releasably attachable one to another along the atleast a portion of a contiguous side edge thereof by the group offasteners consisting of a zipper, cooperating strips of hook and loopfabric, one or more cooperating buttons and button holes, one or morecooperating pins and clips, and combinations thereof.
 15. The suspendersof claim 13, wherein said suspenders are reversibly altered between a Yback suspender configuration and an X back suspender configuration byreversibly attaching or separating the each of the pair of the secondpaired strap portion one from another along the at least a portion of acontiguous side edge thereof.
 16. The suspenders of claim 13, whereinthe connector is fixedly attached to the first paired strap portion andthe second paired strap portion.
 17. The suspenders of claim 13, whereinthe connector is slidably attached to the first paired strap portion andthe second paired strap portion whereby a length dimension of the firstpaired strap portion and the second paired strap portion may beadjusted.
 18. The suspenders of claim 13, wherein the connector includesa decorative display.
 19. A strap defining suspenders for supporting anarticle of clothing, said strap being reversibly dividable along atleast a portion of an end thereof to define a pair of straps which arereleasably attachable one to the other along a contiguous side edgethereof, whereby the defined suspenders may be reversibly altered from afirst configuration to a second configuration.
 20. The strap of claim19, wherein the pair of straps are releasably attachable one to theother along the at least a portion of a contiguous side edge thereof bythe group of fasteners consisting of a zipper, cooperating strips ofhook and loop fabric, one or more cooperating buttons and button holes,one or more cooperating pins and clips, and combinations thereof.